Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STATON BREIDENTHAL 12/30/10
State Sen. Paul Bookout, D-Jonesboro, will be President Pro Temp of the senate for the upcoming legislative session. Bookout announced that he resigned his post on Aug. 20.

Bookout, the 21st District Senator who is currently being investigated for spending thousands of dollars in campaign funds on personal items, announced his resignation in a short statement late Tuesday afternoon.

"Please be advised that effective immediately I am resigning from my position as Senator for District 21 of the State of Arkansas," Bookout wrote. "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the State of Arkansas."

Bookout's signature is seen at the bottom of the letter.

The letter was addressed to President Pro Tempore Senator Mike Lamoureaux.